Ndaba Mandela encourages community to harvest crops

By Afikile Lugunya - Jul 19, 2017

On Tuesday, the acts of kindness continued to the birthplace of Nelson Mandela in the Eastern Cape as the Park Home was handed over to Qunu Clinic, followed by the refurbishment at Milton Mbekela Senior Secondary School - also in Qunu.

There was also the launch of 1 million seedlings project, in collaboration with British America Tobacco (BAT), which was followed by the handing over of 67 blankets to Gog'no Vote old-age home.

Madiba's grandson, Ndaba Mandela, who spoke at the event, encouraged people to home grow vegetables as food prices continue to rise.

“We have been partnering with Sakata and a company called British America Tobacco (BAT) and they have donated 10 thousand vegetable seeds.

“These seeds will be given to homes, and we are trying to encourage people to harvest because food prices grow every year,” Mandela said.

“His entire existent gave hope to the oppressed, excluded and the poor of the world.

“His conviction and courage and unwavering commitment to peace, freedom and justice for all remains one of his greatest hallmark in history,” Jarana said.

“This area of the Eastern Cape can attract tourists from far, making sure that people can come and learn about the valleys that Nelson Mandela grew up to."

The kind of community that brought this type of leader, that is why we are pleased with the province that they have taken control of the partnership of the institution and working very closely with us.

The event was graced with the presence of the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Des Van Rooyen, who explained the history of day.

“The official day recognised by united nations in 2009, first this day was celebrated on the 18th of July in 2010 just after the complexion of the 2010 FIFA world cup.

“Since then the day has grown massively and now a landmark on the international calendar.

“Our former president Nelson Mandela spent 27years of his life, fighting for social justice and this day calls everyone to spent at least 67minutes of their time to fight poverty and promote peace, reconciliation and cultural diversity,” Min Des Van Rooyen said.

Finally, Rooyen pleaded residents to observe Mandela day as the continuation of service to mankind, to persuade the acts that Nelson Mandela fought for.

“Let us let the Mandela legacy to continue to inspire us to fight unemployment and finally let us target the challenge of inequality.”

The hunt for a gang that stormed a police station in Ngcobo in the early hours of Wednesday morning and killed five police officers as well as an off-duty soldier continued on Thursday with authorities calling on the public for leads that can help in their investigations...